Residents Demand Changes At Deadly Intersection

Local officials and residents have called for safety improvements at the intersection of Route 109 and Main Street in Farmingdale following a crash that killed a 14-year-old girl last month.

Assemb. Christine Pellegrino and State Sen. John Brooks hosted a press conference Monday during which they both requested that the New York State Department of Transportation act immediately.

“The time for action is now, we cannot wait until we senselessly lose another life from a traffic accident at this dangerous intersection," Pellegrino said at the event. "I am deeply saddened by the loss and pain and offer my condolences to all the family members and friends of the victims of traffic accidents at this intersection.”

Most recently, on June 14 a 14-year-old girl was killed and three other people were hospitalized after a multiple car crash at that intersection. In addition, in March 28-year-old Byron I. Unda, of Bay Shore died after a collision with a tractor-trailer on Route 109 and Main Street.

"Too many lives have been tragically lost at this intersection over past months and action must be taken before any more are cut short," Brooks said. "I urge the DOT to immediately evaluate ways to minimize future accidents and implement solutions to improve driver safety."

The officials and residents are specifically asking the DOT to change the traffic light so that it uses red light arrows in the left turn lane to prevent cars from turning left into oncoming traffic.

In addition, they are demanding that the DOT conduct an assessment and recommend additional safety improvements at the intersection.

Local resident Nancy Wagner started an online petition on Change.org to urge officials to change the traffic light at that intersection.

The petition has already received 2,477 signatures.

“I have two kids who just started driving and I didn’t want to look back, god forbid something happened to them, and not have said something,” Wagner said.

Several other mothers also expressed their concern with the dangerous intersection.

Lori Pizzarelli, whose daughter was friends with the teen who died in the latest crash, said she felt the need to talk to Pellegrino to see if she can help.

"Because of this effort, all of these voices in the community have emerged,” Pizzarelli said.

Another local mother, Eva Pearson was happy to see that both Pellegrino and Brooks worked together to address this issue.

“We are tired of burying our children and our neighbors and the time to take action is now," she said. "This is not a party issue, this is about community members coming together to promote safety in their own town."

Beth Mignone, president of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, stated residents recently sent a prior letter requesting for changes at that intersection.

She said that Nassau police have responded to a letter by enforcing traffic laws all over Farmingdale.

The DOT responded to the letter by stating that someone will be in touch, but Mignone has not heard anything since, she said.